The Language of Flowers: Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Karen Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous perennials and a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, that also includes blue star (Amsonia), periwinkle (Vinca), and oleander (Nerium). There are over 140…
Plant Profile: Betony (Stachys officinalis aka Betonica officinalis)
This herbaceous perennial is native to grasslands, meadows, and open woods of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa and is also known as common hedgenettle and bishopwort. It is a…
Plant Profile: Soapwort (Yucca glauca aka Y. angustifolia)
Native to dry rocky soils of central US and Canada, this evergreen herbaceous perennial has many common names including beargrass, Great Plains yucca, narrowleaf yucca, and Spanish bayonet. It is…
Plant Combination: Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) ‘Royal Standard’ and Sneezeweed (Helenium)‘Moerheim Beauty’
The strong thrust of the tall poker ‘Royal Standard’ provides a striking contrast to the daisy-like flower heads of ‘Moerheim Beauty’ while the colors of ‘Moerheim Beauty’ echo the changing…
Plant Profile: Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
This herbaceous perennial is native to the Mediterranean where it grows wild in the mountainous area of southern France, northern Greece, and the Balkans. It is a member of the…
Drought Tolerant Plants: Herbaceous Annuals and Perennials Grown for Foliage
Foliage can add both texture and color to the landscape to create a mood and enrich the visual quality of the garden. Leaves may be glossy, matte, large, small, leathery,…
Plant Combination: Azalea (Rhododendron) ‘Delaware Valley White’ and Hosta undulata ‘Albomarginata’
Make spring time special with the combination featuring a white azalea and a hosta with a white edge. This hosta is one of the earliest to emerge so will be…
Plant Profile: Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita aka Chrysanthemum balsamita aka Balsamita vulgariata)
Costmary is a herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean and also known as alecost, balsam herb, bible leaf, and mint geranium. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae,…
Plant Profile: Ozark Sundrops (Oenothera missouriensis)
The huge (4-5” across) flowers of this plant are spectacular. They are a clear lemon yellow, cup shaped, and made of the most delicate tissue. The buds are also beautiful;…
Plant Profile: Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Draft
Garden phlox is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to eastern US from Main west to Minnesota, south to Georgia and Louisianna where it grows in woodland clearings and borders, meadows,…